Studying the Secrets to Longevity
Author Dan Buettner founded the term “Blue Zone” during research for his book of the same name. Blue Zones are areas in which people live longer than average. He was seeking to find secrets to longevity by studying five regions in the world where a higher-than-average number of people lived to 100 years-olds and beyond (centenarians). The regions he studied were:
- Ikaria, Greece
- Loma Linda, California
- Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Okinawa, Japan
- Sardinia, Italy
In the course of his research, Buettner determined each of the above environments fostered a lifestyle that supported longevity. He identified several factors that the blue zones had in common.
Regular Daily Activity
One thing Buettner learned is that the longest-lived people generally do not set aside time to exercise, but rather they were naturally moving throughout the day. In fact, on average of every 20 minutes, they were nudged to move. Some of the natural activities noted were kneading bread, gardening, and using manual tools. Their homes were not outfitted with conveniences that limited movement. Additionally, there was a lot of walking. If people in the Blue Zones went out – to work or school, to a restaurant or to visit friends, it was nearly always on foot. The continual movement was engineered into their regular daily lives.
Stress Reduction Modalities
All humans experience stress, in various forms, with different causes. The citizens of the Blue Zones are no different. However, they have daily rituals that work to reduce stress. Stress is associated with inflammation, so these rituals may help to interrupt the formation of inflammation. Some of the stress-reducing rituals include prayer, napping, ancestor veneration, and happy hour with friends (usually involving red wine).
A Sense of Purpose
Within the zones of longevity, people were able to articulate their purpose in life. Studies on aging have found that when people were able to identify their sense of purpose, they had a better chance of living a long life. One study done by the National Institute on Aging determined that those who could articulate a sense of purpose lived an average of seven years longer.
Beans and a Plant-Based Diet
Of course, in all discussions of longevity, diet is an important consideration. In the Blue Zones, all regions (besides Loma Linda, whose population is largely Seventh Day Adventists) consumed moderate amounts of alcohol – up to four glasses per day. All regions ate a plant-based diet. In fact, in all five blue zones, 95% of the centenarians ate a plant-based diet, with beans being a staple. Beans are full of protein and fiber and are inexpensive. The 100-year-olds also consumed a lot of carbohydrates, mostly whole grains and non-yeast bread, such as sourdough.
The longest-living people also tended to stop eating before they became overly full. The Okinawans follow an 80 percent guideline – meaning they stop eating before they are completely satiated. Some other areas have rituals surrounding eating that naturally slow down the meal, such as praying before eating, not being distracted by televisions, and eating with family. In blue zone regions, dinner was the smallest meal of the day.
Human Connection
Centenarians in the blue zones are often very family-centered. In many cases, the family was cited as the number one purpose in life. Children, especially daughters, usually kept the aging parents in their homes. The ability to be around children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was thought to be a key factor in a long life. In addition to close family ties, in most cases, there was a strong connection to the community. In Blue Zones, people would walk to a friend’s house in the afternoon to share conversation and a glass or two of wine, and many belonged to a faith-based community. Buettner cites studies that show that those who regularly attend faith-based services live up to 14 years longer than those who do not. The “right tribe” phenomenon was an essential part of these social connections. The world’s longest-lived people largely have curated a social circle that supports healthy behaviors.
Watch this Today Show segment on a group of women who adopted the Blue Zone diet for three months.
Rocklin Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Rocklin, California. For nearly four decades, I have been advocating on behalf of injured Rocklin residents. If you have been hurt due to the actions of a negligent driver, or know someone who has, call us for free and friendly advice at (816) 921-6400 or if calling from outside the area, toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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